Will Smith carries this movie with a full and nuanced performance, somehow managing to sustain mystery and a thorough allure for over an hour without giving the audience a single clue of what his character, Ben Thomas, might be plotting.
Writer Grant Neiporte Proves Huge Talent
It is rare to pull off an exact balance of mystery and drama. So often the drama becomes exaggerated, and the acting histrionic. Some movies, most recently Coraline, have grand plot ideas and are shaping up to be quite spectacular, indeed, when things become a shade too complicated, and some of the wonder is lost in unnecessary tangles.
Seven Pounds is guilty of none of these faux paus. The audience is given many small details - names, isolated incidents, and handfuls of half-whispered conversations. But mostly, there is just a very grave-looking Ben Thomas, who seems to be executing a rather involved mental to-do list and not letting anyone else in on it.
The continued allure of the movie is twofold: the seemingly nonsensical events taking place are carefully chosen and peppered with objects of curiosity like a deadly jellyfish, recurring nightmares about a car crash, and a vegetarian canine the size of a small horse. And of course, there is the classic damsel in distress, played by Rosario Dawson.
The second key to Seven Pounds' success is its star, Will Smith.
Will Smith Is at His Best
A very decent portion of this movie, like I Am Legend, is just Will Smith. Even when he is conversing with someone, rather than alone, most of these characters are seen only once, or in brief spots. The strength of Smith's performance carries this movie by necessity.
The character of Ben Thomas is actually fairly similar to Smith's last two performances in Hancock and I Am Legend - certainly not verbose, but thoroughly bleak and consistently interesting. Smith has a way of coming across as a man who can do anything. This presence translates very well for film, and especially well in Seven Pounds, since he had to keep interest in this mystifying story.
Rosario Dawson is the only other major character in the movie, and plays well opposite Smith. Unlike Smith, she is a rising star - not everyone knows her name yet, but many know her face, and she is an established talent in the industry. She is best known for her performances in Rent and Sin City. It's no surprise that she and Smith bring magic to the screen together.
A Warning to the Tender Hearted
The ending, while not giving away too much, is sad and beautiful at the same time. Dawson shines here, and strikes the perfect blend of noble sadness. Tears may be shed, but the intricate details and perfect execution of the plot are sure to leave the audience wanting to see it again.
